BRITISH CRITICISM OF RUSSIA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21935, 1 February 1946, Page 3

BRITISH CRITICISM OF RUSSIA

ATTITUDE AT UNO

U.K. EXPORT DRIVE

STEADY INCREASE

WOMEN'S FASHION STYLES

10 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 31. The fact that there lias been more outspoken criticism ni Russia than at any time since the early days of the war, is perhaps, the most notable point about the activities of the United Nations’ Organisation.

This criticism has not been confined to the newspapers but can he heard quite freely expressed by a wide section of the general public. It is centred, of course, round the Persian dispute—it is ■no longer camouflaged by the description of “situation"—and the Russian attack on Britain for the events in Greece and Indonesia.

It has been frankly remal'ked that the Soviet's actions have been illadvised and clumsy, and although there have been one or two criticisms that the Foreign Minister, Mr. Ernest Bevin, might have been more diplomatic, generally speaking his blunt attitude has been endorsed. Return of Scepticism

Just what the atmosphere will be when this first session of UNO ends remains to be seen, but there can be no doubt that Russia has drawn heavily on the fund of goodwill that existed for her in Britain. As for the prestige of UNO. the feeling at the moment is that, rather than being weakened by the “situations” being brought before the Security Council, as was at one time feared,”it may. on the contrary, have firmly established itself. There has

been a tendency, due to the rather slow progress of the Pei-sian dispute and because of the committee stage of the session, for public interest in UNO to be rather subdued. Russia’s attitude, if anything, has tended to again promote a feeling of indifference and scepticism. the note on which the session started.

The. British public, as a whole, is still chiefly interested in hearing any news that will increase the hope that the days of “austerity” are numbered. This hope and criticisms of present conditions are the main theme of the popular national newspapers. “Anti-Austerity” Feeling

There has thus been much approval of the recent comment by Mr. Evelyn Walkden, Socialist M.P. for Doncaster, when he said: “Let us get away from 'Very sorry, we have none’ stage, into the ’Most certainly, how many would you like?’ stage. Rid the homesteads of Britain of the austerity complex. New curtains, carpets, towels and crockery mean much to the average homestead after six years of war. I plead for a six months’ plan to wipe out this ravaging wartime disease.” There is no doubt that the Government is acutely

aware of this feeling of "anti-austerity.” Mr. J. W. Belcher, the recently appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, declared that how to get rid of austerity is the board’s principal concern, which it discusses every morning. The board wanted to abolish it. but at the moment there was no alternative. Mr. Belcher added: “1 would like to see our people better fed than we are, but unless we are absolutely firm in our control of the distribution and price of the necessary foodstuffs there will be a vorv Urge section of our people facing starvation.” Cheerful Note Sounded A more cheerful note is the latest news about Britain’s export drive and a recent statement made by Sir Stafford Cripps, president of the Board of Trade, is regarded as distinctly encouraging. The figures, he said, were steadily rising and. by the end of this year, the Government hopes they will have passed (he total for 1933. Tire exports for December were the highest for any month last year. The monthly volume of exports for November and December was 45 per cent of the 1938' 1 monthly average. Sir Stafford Cripps said: “If export expansion appears to have made a somewhat slow start, it must be remembered that, much of the work of recent months has been necessarily taken up by the switch-over. Manv industries are now emerging from this refitting period and have reached the stage where civilian production will increase very raoidlv. both for export and for home needs. The Government hopes ihat. some time within the next three or four years, on export, figures linked with the American loan, they will be able to balance trade.” Sir Stafford Crinps added: “Almost ■every country in the world, except the United States. i= a potential customer for our exports." “Swish and Softness” Women's new fashions—for exportare attracting much interest. for throughout this week a series of displays is being held daily and more than 30n new designs are being shown. The tendency towards “swish and softness” is a contrast to the severe military line of the war years. The styles include padded hips, small waists and sloping shoulders. Buyers from a score of countries are reported to be placing many orders. Deliveries cannot be promised until March. These export models have no austerity restrictions, but they will not be available for the home market until those restrictions go or until they are modified, so that the women of this country at the moment have chiefly an academic interest in the displays.

The crime wave is still in progress and there are daily reports of daring robberies. Part of the anti-crime drive was Scotland Yard’s swoop on 'teen age girls in London. As a result many young girls who had been attracted to the city by its promise of glamour but who were caught up in unsavoury circles' are now on their way home to their parents. Theatre Amalgamation In the theatre world the news of chief interest is the amalgamation of the Shakespeare Memorial National Theatre committee with Old Vic. They will eventually become one body under the name of “The National Theatre.” Viscount Esher described it as the “first artistic venture of our young educated democracy and the beginning of a new period in our nationai life.” Indicating the increasing popularity of the ballet, all seats have been sold out for the opening night of the Sadlers Wells Ballet Company’s season at Covent Garden on February 20. Even, the gallery is booked out. and people queued up for 12 hours before the booking office opened in order to make sure of getting seats. Their Majesties will be present for the first, night, which marks the reopening of the Royal Opera House after six years.

Wide interest is being taken in Mr, Francis Williams’ book. “Press. Parliament and People.” Mr. Williams, who is now adviser on public relations to the Prime Minister, was wartime •’ontroller of news censorship. He gives an interesting insight into British censorship throughout the war. He discusses the problem for the future and the question of secrecy in foreign policy. Published this week, the book is selling rapidly.